COMINAK

COMINAK (Compagnie minière d'Akokan) is a national uranium mining company of Niger.

It is a joint venture between the French company Areva NC and the state of Niger, which operates in the field of mining. COMINAK was established in 1974, following a memorandum of understanding between France, Japan and Niger. They commenced uranium production in 1978, and reached a record production in 1981 with 2,260 tons of uranium. COMINAK's plant is installed in Akokan, not far from the town of Arlit.[2]

COMINAK is one of two national mining companies in Niger, the other being SOMAIR[2] in the nearby Arlit.[2][3][4][5]

As of 2011, the U3O8 ore grade reserves at Somaïr were 14,000 tons at 0.3%, Cominak is 29,000 t at 0.4% and Imouraren 120,000t at 0.15%.[6]

  1. ^ Onstad, Eric (31 July 2023). "Niger is among the world's biggest uranium producers". Reuters. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Niger: 2001 Article IV Consultation, the Second Review and Second Annual Program Under the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility Arrangement, and Request for Interim Assistance Under the Enhanced Initiative for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries--Staff Report; Public Information Notice and News Brief on the Executive Board Discussion (EPub). International Monetary Fund. 1 March 2002. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-4527-3932-8. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  3. ^ "Potential Use of Radioactively Contaminated Mining Materials in the Construction of Residential Homes From Open Pit Uranium Mines in Gabon And Niger" (PDF). Uranium Mining in Niger. Directorate-General For External Policies of the Union Directorate B, Policy Department. p. 19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Left in the dust: AREVA's radioactive legacy in the desert towns of Niger" (PDF). Greenpeace. p. 10. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Akokan and Arlit, Niger" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.orezone.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)